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July 31, 1928. 1,679,220

c. B. JAHNKE 1 IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Cnn/nfs .Jg/www5 g/ y h1. CSM @Tom/Ey,

July 31, 192a 1,679,220

y c. B. JAI-INK;

IGNITION SYSTEM Filed Oct. 9, 1924 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 /wf/vrof Patented July 31, 1928'.

UNITED s'riiiizs CHARLES B. JAHNKE, F BELOIT,

PATENT OFFICE.

WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO FIRBANKS, MORSE k8a CO., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. i

IGNITION SYSTEM.

Application led October 9,1924. Serial No. .742,630.

My invention relates to improvements in ignition systems, and more particularlyto improvements in timers in'high tension ignition systems as use d on internal coinbustion engines.

The object of my invention relates to means of simple and inexpensive const-ructioii for operating a timer in a high tension ignition system. y

The advantages of my method of timing are many, but the chief advantages 'are simplicity of construction and operation and ease of adjustment. Heretofore the timing in high tension ignition systems has b een secured by means of complicated devices which require skill and practice in adjustment and which are expensive to construct. In my system I make use of a camwhich is preferably one of those used to operate a Valve, in the case illustrated the exhaust valve cam is used, and make the Contact in the low tension circuit of the ignition system by means of a collar on the valve rod and a contact insulated from the rod. Timing is secured by simply adjusting the valve cam so that the recess in the cam operates the contact at the desired time.

Although my invention consists largely in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims, yet I do not limit my invention to the precise form, construction or arrangement of parts shown or t-he several partsthereof, inasmuch as various. alterations may be made without changing the scope of my invention.

My improvements consist in the construeJ tion, arrangement and combination of parts as hereinafter fully, clearly and concisely described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings (2 sheets), in which Fig. 1 is a partially cut-away elevational view of an internal combustion engine employing my invention, illustrating the method used of operating the valve rod and showing clearly Y the cam used. Fig. 2 is a partially sectional plan view of the same engine illustrated in Fig. 1 showing my timing arrangement in sectional view. Fig. 3 is .an enlarged sectional view of my timing arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 2 but showing it more clearly.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, the cam 5 is driven by the half-speed cani gear 6, attached to shaft 7. Gear 6 is preferably operated the crank shaft 8 `through gear. 9. Cain 5 preferably engages roller 10, carried by rocker 11, this rocker being piv- .oted (on. pin 12. The movement of rocker 11 operates the exhaust rod 13, they point of contact between the rocker and the rod being indicated at 14.-. Exhaust'rod 13 operates exhaust valve 15, located in the cylinder head 16 of the engine by means of the rocker 17, pivoted at 18. 19 ofthe exhaust rod is supoprted in a socket 20 of rocker 17 and an adjustment for the lengthpof this rod is provided at 21. `The exhaust valve spring 22 serves to close-the exhaust valve and also to returnthe exhaust rod and rockers to their position of rest after being lifted by the cam 5. i Sufficient clearance is given, however, so that the exhaust valve will be free to seat.Vv

The high tension ignition system is coii-.

trolled by a timer, and in my invention I have mounted the operating element of this timer on a valve rod, in this case the exhaustyalve vrod. This consists in acollar 23wh'ich is carried by the exhaust rod 13 ybut which is preferably held away from contact with insulated contact plate 2i at all times during the revolution ofthe engine except-ing the short period when it is desired to secure ignition in the cylinder. Collar 23 which communicates with a ground through the exhaust rod 13 and the body of the engine, is broughtzin contact with the insulated contact plate 2liwhen roller 10 on the exhaust rod connection drops into the recess .25 in cam 5. to the other or non-grounded Aside of the low tension circuit of the ignition system, this contact establishes electrical connection 4in that circuit and completes the circuit,

thereby supplying current to the primary of the spark coil, which gives rise to the high tension current inthe secondary of the coil causing ignition to occur in the cylinder by meansfof a suitable spark plug. It is'evident thatwhile I show a cani having a recess therein any suitable Vshape of cam may be employed.

It is evident from the foregoing description that the time of the spark, also its dura- The cylinder head end Since contact plate 24 is connected i tion., is controlled by the position and size of y recess 25' in cam 5. 26 is the insulating mateiial separating the metal Contact plate 24 which is attached to timer cover 27 from the grounded detent bracket 28. lVire 29 is attached to the metal timer cover 27 and is the connection from the non-grounded side of the low tension circuit. Torsional spring 30 encircling the rocker tulcrum 18 acts independently ot the exhaust valve spring 22 to hold the roller 10 against the low part of cam and to torce it into recess 25, thereby grounding the circuit.

A governor mechanism may be employed such as described in my application tiled October 9, 1921i, Serial Number 742,631, driven from gear 6 by means of a pinion 3l. rllhis pinion rotatessuit-able governor weights (not shown) which apply an axial movement to spindle 32, this spindle preterably contacts with one end ot' a pivoted member 33, and when the speed becomes excessive, rotates this member about its pivot until the end 34 engages with shoulder 35 oit valve rod 13, thereby preventing the valve from closing and also preventing any electrical contact between collar 23 and contact plate 24.

I claim:

1. In an ignition system, a valve-operating device having a rod, electrical contacts about said rod, one of said contacts being carried by a bearing element for said rod and adapted to serve as a motion-limiting means therefor, and means operated by said valve-operating device for periodically making electrical connection between said contacts.

2. In an ignition system, in combination with a valve-operating rod, an annular Contact member on said rod for periodically closing the low tension circuit of said ignition system, said member being operated by said valve-operating rod, and constituted by an enlarged annular portion thereof.

3. In an ignition system, in combination vith a valve rod, a bearing element therefor, an electrical contact member around said rod, a contact member carried by said bearing element and not in electrical connection with said rod, and means for making a periodical electrical connection between said contact members.

et. In an ignition system, in combination with a valve rod and a stationary supporting member therefor, an annular electrical contact member connected to said rod, an electrical contact member on said stationary supporting member, insulated therefrom, and adapted as an abutment for said annular member, and means for making a periodical electrical connection between said contact members. l

5. In an ignition system, in combination with a valve rod, a bearing member therefor, an annular contact member carried by said rod, a contact member carried by said bearing, a cover tor said members, a cam operating said rod, and a spring-pressed member acting on said rod whereby a periodical electrical connection is made between said contact members.

6. In an ignition system, a timer comprising in combination with a springpressed valve rod and a cam adapted to operate said rod, an annular stationary co* tact plate insulated from said rod, and adapted as a motion-limiting means theretor, and a contact collar connected to said rod and adapted to move therewith to make periodical electrical connection with said stationary contact plate.

7. In an ignition system, in combination with a spring-pressed valve rod and a recessed cam adapted to operate said rod, an annular stationary contact plate insulated trom said rod, and a contact collar connected to said rod and adapted to move therewith to make periodical electrical connection with said stationary contact.

8. In an internal combustion engine, a timer comprising in combination, a valve rod, an annular electrical contacting member thereon, a rod bearing, a stationary contacting member mounted on said bearing and serving as an insulated abutment for said annular contact member and means for mal(- ing periodical electrical contact between said members.

9. In an internal combustion engine, a timer comprising in combination, a valve rod, an electrical contacting collar thereon, a stationary contacting plate, a bearing for said rod, said plate and bearing constituting an insulated abutment tor said collar, means for making periodical eiectrical contact between said collar and said plate, and a cover for said contact elements.

10. In an ignition system tor an internal combustion engine, a cam, a valve rod actuated thereby, an annular contact element concentrically surrounding said rod, comprising a timer bracket, a contact collar, insulating material therebetween, a cover for said contact collar, a terminal carried by said cover; an additional annular contact element surrounding said rod comprising an llO annular contact member, one of said contact elements being` stationary, the other adapted to be carried by said rod, whereby the movement of said rod effects a periodical electrical connection between said contact elements.

CHARLES B. JAHNKE. 

